Owens shuts down Post 740

June 21, 2013

Owens struck out six batters, and needed just 78 pitches to lead Toronto to a 2-0 victory Thursday evening at Richmond.

"Tyler was hitting his spots," Post 86 (4-12) head coach Steve Sninchak said. "His off-speed pitches were working. He was able to get ahead of the hitters. He threw strike one. When you do that, you are able to go after the batters. You are able to throw the ball on the corners. He threw his knuckleball well. He was able to get some groundouts with his knuckleball when there was one strike on the batters."

"We didn't hit the ball," he said. "He threw a great game. You have to give him credit. From the dugout, it didn't look too tough, but it certainly was in the batters' box. He dominated us. I tip my hat to him. He did a great job.

"He not only pitched well, but he did a great job fielding his position. He made some really nice plays. That play he made in the seventh when we bunted trying to move our runners up to get something started was really nice. He got off the mound and got to the ball quickly, and he made a nice throw to third base for the out.

"Toronto did what they had to do to win. They got some timely hits, and they were able to score their two runs. We only got three hits, and two of those were in the seventh inning.

"It's a shame because Ryan Kramarich pitched a great game. We was just didn't give him any support. We only had three hits.

"Give Toronto credit. They made all the plays. They were able to score two runs and win the game."

Owens also produced a pair of singles in the win, while scoring one run.

Toronto tallied eight hits in the game.

John Romey also recorded two base hits, Billy Solomon and Jordan Mavromatis each collected a run-scoring single and Nate Stewart and Jay Lane each ended up with a base hit.

Kramarich took the loss. He struck out three and issue two free passes.

"We have been playing well," Sninchak said. "This is the fourth game in a row where we have played really well. We have come out on the short end of the stick in a couple of those. We lost to Beverly/Lowell in 10 innings, 7-6, yesterday.

"That is a good win for us. Richmond is a solid team. We had good pitching, and we had good fielding. That is a good recipe for success. They had a very-good pitcher.

"We were able to some big hits in that one inning. We were able to get hits with runners on. We got some good clutch hits.

"We have shown we can play with anybody in our district. We beat Steubenville. We beat Cadiz. We lost in 10 innings to Beverly/Lowell. We are here to play."

Toronto's busy week continues tonight at home. Toronto plays a nine-inning game against Cadiz at 7 p.m. at the Knight Baseball Complex. Post 86 then plays 7 p.m. Saturday night at home against Weirton before playing a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Sunday against Tuscarawas County at the KBC.

"We have got a lot of baseball left," Sninchak said. "The kids enjoy it. We enjoy it. That is what it is all about. We are here for the kids. It is a lot more fun when you win."

Richmond is scheduled to get back at it at 6 p.m. today at home against St. Clairsville followed by a doubleheader at Alliance starting at noon.